Kristen Zuccola – BPC member

Tap me on the shoulder at church and ask me to open my purse.  At any given time you may find a few crayons, one of my toddler’s socks, a crushed Nutrigrain bar and much more.  I have been at war with stuff and I have been losing!  Proverbs 31 tells me that to be a wife of noble character that I’m to be clothed in strength and dignity.  It isn’t dignified to drop several Legos and a used sucker stick onto the floor as I take out my wallet.  My purse is a microcosm of my ability (or lack thereof) to systematize my family’s “stuff”.  Every closet and drawer in my house isn’t like my handbag, but admittedly, keeping an orderly home has not yet been one of my talents.

Until recently, I sought to become orderly on my own strength, which was laughable.  A few weeks ago, I attended a conference during which I was convicted to live among the body of believers both by offering my talents and at the same time, welcoming the talents of others.  I always like to be the helper, not the helped.  However, I obediently swallowed my prideful self-reliance and asked a godly friend for some guidance in living a life of order.  That was more humbling than I could imagine; yet my friend received my request with excitement and kindness.  She came over, looked at my flawed system of organization and gave me some gentle pointers.  Her ideas liberated me from literally years of frustration.

To some, stepping out in faith in this manner may appear trivial, but truly, an orderly home frees up more of one’s time to pursue relationship with others—most significantly with our Lord Jesus. The counsel of my friend has also brought about a change in my attitude about keeping house.  Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 says, “Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.  He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”  It is a joy to work in an orderly home. Through the grace-filled encouragement and wisdom of my friend, the Lord’s calling me to walk in his way, and my humble obedience, my heart’s attitude is radically changing so that my life may more fully glorify our Lord.

Mary Grace Umerly – BPC member

This past summer I attended Ligonier Camp for my seventh summer. It was by far the greatest experience of my life.  It was absolutely amazing. One night, an incredible woman of Christ, Stef Walker, who I look up to so much, came and led our tribe devotion. The topic of her discussion was Matthew 12:34. Her talk was possibly the most compelling one I heard during my time at camp. She talked about how when we fill our hearts with God, our actions and our words radiate Christ. We need to be so filled with God that it consumes us, and we cannot help but overflow. She went on to say something that I will never, ever forget because it was something that I had never thought about before but is incredibly true.  She told us, "You might be the only Bible someone ever reads. Are you living up to it?" I felt very convicted because the more I thought about it the more I realized that even though I am a Christian, I was not living up to the standard of the statement. My actions were not
showing a heart overflowing, and there was no way you could compare me to a Bible. So that night God really hit me with the truth, I needed to 'live out my faith' through all my actions so that I can really radiate Christ to the world. So the weekend after I came home from camp I went on a student leadership retreat, and what would you know, Chooch spent some time talking about this very verse.  I guess it was God's way of making sure I didn't forget everything even though I was no longer 'on the mountain top' at camp. So now it's back to school, and it's definitely test time. I've really been challenged, and I'm working hard to make sure that all of my actions work towards the goal of having a heart overflowing with Gods love, and setting a Biblical example for those around me. So, are you living up to it ?

JoEllen Bovard - BPC member

I grew up in the church and from my earliest memories, I have always known that Jesus loves me.  My faith really began to grow and be real when I became involved in the life of the church as an adult.  My husband, Bill, was and is a great example of giving and service to the Lord. 

Being part of a small group Bible study helps me to know God better and apply His Word to my daily life.  Stepping out in faith to serve the Lord lets me see Him at work in people’s lives and makes me trust Him more and more.

I have been blessed to be part of the Stephen Ministry at BPC, which reaches out to care for those in our congregation who are going through difficult times.  Stephen Ministers have no agenda other than to love and care for others, and to trust God to provide healing and hope.  As the referral coordinator for Stephen Ministry, I receive the calls from people in need. I take time to listen and explain how the ministry works.  Then I trust the Lord to provide the right Stephen Minister for that situation.  And He is so faithful!  Many times both caregiver and care receiver have been blessed, and it is amazing to see the Lord work in their lives.

Jodee Hunger – BPC member

Recently, in preparation for this article, I spent a few hours re-reading old Bible study notebooks and half-started journals.  I came across a prayer written in January of 2005.  It said: “I am sick of being boring and safe…please help me to choose that which would bring me closer to you …for my life to be authentic, real and a testimony to my love and belief in you…”

Let me explain.  For the past several years I’ve attended Bible studies and grown in my knowledge of the Bible and God’s truth.  In terms of service, I’ve prepared meals for people when needed and helped at the church in very small ways that fit into my schedule as a mom.  Again, I have always chosen safe and comfortable ways to minister to others.  For some time though, I had been feeling an unspoken nudging that God wanted more ~ but what?  I have a family, I’m a mom.  What can I really do?

I sought the council of a dear friend and mentor and her words reflected Pastor Hu Auburn’s Sunday message:  “To be centered in Christ, we must be sent (into the world).”  Sent?  Sent where?!  I’m comfortable here!  For several days and weeks the words repeatedly echoed in my mind as I digested them.  They followed me around and began to make me feel uncomfortable, restless and disobedient because I knew deep down I was procrastinating and making excuses.  Finally I sat down at the computer and responded to an Ad in the BPC Sunday bulletin that caught my attention a few weeks before.  The Bridge Avenue School (TBAS) needed volunteer reading tutors to work with high risk middle school students that had been unsuccessful in traditional learning environments.  I knew about this relatively new urban ministry and trusted that if I just stepped out in faith, God would bless my obedience.  I pushed the “send” button before I could change my mind. 

Well, that was last fall, and after one visit to TBAS, I was hooked!  I love the students and mission of TBAS.  I look forward each week with anticipation and eagerness to the few hours spent there.  In addition, my commitment to this worthy mission has grown and I’m helping coordinate the volunteers and the new lunch program.  Had I stayed comfortable and safe, I never would have connected with this new community of people that I’ve grown to love.  Each week, as I drive the mere 18 miles home, I am overwhelmed and humbled by the obstacles these students must overcome to succeed and the social, economic and racial gulf that exists between the world of these students and my own.  I am seeing more of what God sees and despite the fact that I remain recognizably myself, this ministry is changing my heart and mind.  I understand more clearly what my dear friend meant when she said “to be centered on Christ we must be sent into the world.”

Jim Scott – BPC member

What is God’s will for my life?  How should I serve him?  What kind of work should I do?  These are questions we often ask ourselves as Christians.

Here are two Bible passages that have been helpful to me.  First, Paul said in Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”   This verse tells me that my life is a sacred trust to be lived for God.  Whatever I do - work, learn, teach, travel, play, etc. - I should do it in the name of Jesus.  There are no small or unimportant activities.  Everything is to be done in Jesus’ name and with a humble attitude of thanks to God.

Second, Peter said, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”  (2 Peter 4:10-11)

From this passage we learn several key points.  First, each one of us has been gifted by God.  Out of his great grace, God has given us the gifts he wanted us to have.  Second, we should use our gifts to serve others and to faithfully administer God’s grace in this world.  Third, we should serve with the strength that God provides. 

We should not serve in our own strength.  Finally, the motivation for our service should be that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  Following these scriptural guidelines, we can “let go and let God,” and the Lord will make our lives a blessing to others.

John Shellenberger – BPC member

In the process of aging you can become reflective while looking back over your life. When taking the longer range view, the short term ups and downs are smoothed out. In spite of that, there are still significant shifts or events that stand out. 

The “graph” of my life has generally been pretty smooth. I am a middle class suburbanite with the typical mileposts of college, job, marriage, kids, house, etc. I had been generally pretty comfortable as I moved through life.  Likewise, my faith walk had also become comfortable involving only regular church attendance, Bible studies, etc. I had done little with regard to my responsibility in the “great commission” of Matthew 28.

However, a few years before I retired I went on a mission trip to Appalachia. This was to be an experience that would totally change my life. My eyes were opened to the up close and personal needs and hurts in the world. God spoke to me and made it pretty clear that there must be much more to my walk with Him than just coasting in my comfort zone.

Since retirement, God has given me the opportunity to labor for Him in the city where the “fields” are ripe and the harvesters are few. (Matt 9: 37-38). I consider it a privilege that God has allowed me to serve Him and that He has given me both the time and the desire to be his worker in this “field”.  I am so blessed to be a part of KID'S CHURCH and to have developed close relationships with the kids and their families. Through these relationships you get to know and to love them.  When talking to the kids and their families about Jesus they see who you really are!  The talk is not just talk — it is walking the walk and this is what will bring them to Jesus. One mother told me she is confident that her husband who died about a year ago is in heaven today because he came to see and know Jesus because of the relationship that had been established with me.

It is not easy to move out of a person’s comfort zone, but God is there to help when you take that step of faith. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

… a BPC member

For many years, living my life as a Christian meant working hard to follow the rules. Today, I’m learning that “Living It” has much more to do with following Jesus rather than a set of rules.

Being available can lead you places you would never imagine for yourself.  I have a new friend; the mother of one of my daughter’s friends.  She is a single mother and I truly admire her parenting abilities.  We share many things in common and enjoy one another’s company.  Recently, she revealed to me that she is living in a gay lifestyle.  I had no clue what to do.  I told my friend, she was the first person who had ever revealed their gay lifestyle choice to me and she allowed me to ask my questions.  Internally, I was struggling. My mind began running through all the rules.  Then, thinking turned to praying for the Spirit’s leading.  I’m learning that being in unfamiliar territory is a good place to be because in those places, it’s Jesus I must follow.  My friend shared that I was the first person she has known in a genuine, working marriage and then she asked her questions.  My friend began to cry as she shared she never felt the acceptance and friendship that she felt with me and coming from a “religious” person, she was utterly amazed.  She recognized something different in me.  I was able to tell her that what she saw and felt was Jesus.

I walked away from this profound encounter seeing the power of God at work within me.  I knew that the acceptance and love my friend felt was not me, but Jesus.  I was blown away to think that God had chosen me out of so many to be the one that He would touch my friend through.  If Jesus is my hope and my life, is He not “The Hope” and “The Life” for a lost and hurting world?